Brethren…Be Patient
2004057
Topic # 1265 (Longsuffering)
Introduction:
A. 9 days ago – Pistons/Pacers – brawl in Detroit. Melee in Detroit. Rush Limbaugh called the Palace at Auburn Hills the New Fallujah.
1. Much has been written over the last week on this. Been the topic of discussion at work, etc.
2. Patience, longsuffering, and self restraint were thrown out the window on both sides.
3. Thought of this event as I put this lesson together.
B. Believed that James one of the earlier epistles – definitely written before the destruction of Jerusalem and after the mass persecution we read about in Acts 8.
C. In James 5, we find the writer giving instructions to those who appear to have been under constant oppression and trial by the rich Jews in society.
1. 2:6
2. 5:4 – holding back wages
3. 5:6 – oppressing the righteous
D. What was to be their course of action? What should be ours today?
1. Christianity is not always a bed of roses. Trials will come.
2. People will not automatically like us because we’re trying to do right; be honest; display godly values.
3. So…how can we learn to patiently endure what those who oppose us dish out?
I. Resist the urge to fight back.
A. Js. 5:4, 6 – FC Christians were treated unjustly but did not resist.
B. This is according to godly principles. Let’s take a moment & look at Jesus’ teaching.
1. Mt. 5:39-41
2. How to you respond when someone treats you wrong?
a. React in kind? Treat evil w/evil?
b. Or stand there & take it?
3. Perhaps no other subject of Christ’s teaching has been more widely debated/discussed
a. Eldred Stevens: perhaps no other passage has generated more heat & passion than this verse given to curb heat & passion.
C. This teaching applies to the Christian only in His personal relationships. Such as:
1. Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14 – relationship to government.
2. Col. 3:18-21; Eph. 5:21 – relationship to spouse; children; friends; brethren.
a. It involves the Christian’s reaction to the things that happen to him.
D. Those James writing to had the proper attitude toward self.
1. One must become dead to self.
a. Dead to our spirit of self defense when wronged.
b. Dead to our desire for revenge
c. Dead to our love of possessions.
2. We can’t follow through like Christians in James’ day – unless we are finished w/self.
a. Person who is not finished w/self is primarily concerned about self interest.
b. We tend to look out for insults/injuries.
c. Some supersensitive to this.
3. George Muller: there was a day when I died, utterly died, died to George Muller and his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will: died to the world, its approval of censure; died to the approval or blame of even my brethren and friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved to God.
a. It is hard to die to the world.
b. It is hard to die to brethren & friends.
c. It is HARDEST to die to self.
E. One must rid himself of a spirit of retaliation; the desire to defend self.
F. Not resisting DOES NOT apply to everything!
1. Defending law/order.
2. He not talking about restraining sin.
3. Albert Barnes: Christian principles do not intend to teach that we are to see our families murdered; or be murdered ourselves, rather than make resistance. It cannot surely be the intention to teach that a father should sit by coolly and see his family butchered by savages, and not be allowed to defend them.
G. Js. 5:8-9 – we also resist the urge to retaliate against those who mistreat us because:
1. Of our awareness that the Lord will judge those who hurt us.
2. A willingness to let Him be our avenger – Lk. 18:7-8.
II. This requires patience.
A. The word here is slightly different than that found earlier in this writing.
1. Js. 1:3 – Greek word used means to bear up under trials.
a) Normally means to be patient in reference to things or circumstances.
2. Js. 5:7-8, 10 – a different Greek word is used.
a) Involves longsuffering.
b) Means to be patient in reference to people.
c) Would involve a long-protracted restraint of the soul from yielding to passion, especially the passion of anger.
d) Remember: the righteous does not exist.
B. 5:7 – the farmer is listed as an example.
C. 5:10 – the prophets are listed as an example.
D. 5:11 – Job is listed as an example.
E. Each of these examples teaches us to place our trust in God.
1. He will eventually reward us for our trust in Him!
III. How much do we trust God?
A. We must die to self and become alive for God.
1. Trusting God is what allows us not to resist.
2. Trusting God is what helps us develop patience; longsuffering.
B. Look at Jesus. Total; 100 % trust in God.
1. Isa 53:3-8
2. Mt. 16:26-46
3. Heb 12:1-3
C. James 5:11c – look at your life. Let’s give God some glory for a moment.
1. You…have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
2. Through your patience…and trust that God would work things out – take an honest look…He has! What may have seemed impossible has become possible!
3. Use the evidence where God has been there before to bolster your confidence as to what He will do in the future!
D. Do we have the patience to allow God to work on His schedule? His time table?
1. God sees all; knows all; and only wants the best for us.
2. Our view is limited. Small in comparison w/God’s. Must move with trust.
3. Even if those who oppress us seem to “get away w/everything” we must trust in God’s ultimate judgment.
Conclusion:
A. Success in these areas is only possible with a committed relationship with the Savior.
B. Do you have a relationship?
C. If so, how strong is your relationship? Can we help you begin one today? Would love to do so.
D. I N V I T A T I O N
